"In many ways, the Bowery Artist Tribute mirrors the routes by which artists first came to the neighborhood. As many lofts were illegal, artists sought other methods to find vacant spaces. Word of mouth was paramount, with information passing from friend to friend through gallery openings, parties, and chance encounters on the street. Today, the Bowery Artist Tribute asks each participating artist to recall their neighbors, friends, and the artists that peopled the neighborhood to deepen our understanding of the unique contribution of this community."